The course will review the basics of option investments before reviewing complex positions. The course will explain how options can be used to supplement existing stock positons.Specifically, the course will review hedging a long stock position with long put options and alsoteach students how to generate income by selling call options against an existing stock position. Next, the course will describe the strategies of selling uncovered calls and ratio call writing. The strategy, breakeven, gains, and losses of straddles and combinations will also be examined.Different types of spreads will be introduced, with a focus on vertical spreads and how they can beused to speculate, but also limit both gains and losses. The final part of the course covers index options and options on the Volatility Index (VIX).
This course is designed to present some basic details regarding digital assets, including theadvantages and disadvantages of this asset class. By providing background information and defining key terms, readers will gain greater insight into the digital asset market. The course will also cover the tax implications of using digital assets and the different positions taken by variousregulators as they apply their rules and regulations on digital assets.
This course will mainly focus on common stock; however, the other forms of equity securities willalso be described. This includes preferred stock rights and warrants. The different methods by which a company can raise capital will be described. Additionally, the rights and privileges ofowning equity securities will be covered.The different classifications of stock will be examined based on size or market capitalization, investment type (e.g., growth, defensive, cyclical), and investment style (e.g., value versus growth).Since equities are such an important part of an investor's portfolio, the different indexes that serveperformance benchmarks will be described. The reader will also be provided with a descriptionof how to formulate investment recommendations.
The course will examine the history of ERISA, the reason it was created, and the regulations that the act imposes on retirement plans. In doing so, the course will review the different types of retirement plans to which the regulation apply. The course will also discuss the Summary Plan Descriptions that have to be provided to plan participants and the Form 5500 reports that are required to be filed. This will conclude with how ERISA is enforced, some legislative changes that have occurred some that are pending, and the best practices for plan sponsors.
This course examines how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are transforming capital allocation and corporate conduct by providing a framework that extends beyond traditional financial metrics to evaluate organizational sustainability, ethics, and long-term value creation. Core definitions and materiality concepts are examined through detailed coverage of measurement methodologies, fiduciary duty, evolving regulations, and sector-specific case studies that spotlight both ESG success stories and high-profile failures. The focus is on enabling readers to recognize the importance of integrating ESG analysis into investment decisions, balancing short-term performance with long-term stewardship, and advising clients or organizations on strategies that align financial objectives with broader societal responsibilities.
The course will introduce environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. It will also outlineESG factors and what ESG investors look for when selecting investments, followed by a history of ESG investing. Included is a discussion of anti-ESG investing andlegislation designed to prevent using ESG investing in certain government investments. In the nextsection, the course will go over exisiting SEC disclosure rules. Students will learn how existing disclosure rules in the U.S. will impact ESG investors, including ESG funds. In the final section,the course covers an SEC rule proposal. Students will learn about how the proposal will impactboth ESG issuer and ESG funds.
This course will examine the basics of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. To provide a rounded course, both the arguments made by ESG advocates and the arguments made by ESG critics will be included. The course will also analyze the SEC reporting requirements that apply to companies and how certain ESG-related disclosures can be found in Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K. The final section will describe the SEC's attempts to standardize ESG disclosures and the opposition to the proposed regulation.
The course will provide context into historical rates, including the relatively low interest ratesover the last 10 years and the recent increase in interest rates. Next, students will learn how risinginterest rates will impact securities prices. This section will examine risk measurements andvaluation techniques for both stocks and bonds. The final section of the course will cover ethicalconsiderations and adjusting recommendations to clients during periods of rising interest rates.